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Südafrika Kapstadt LGBTQ Bewegung
Image: RODGER BOSCH/AFP/Getty ImagesImage: RODGER BOSCH/AFP/Getty Images

LGBTQ+ rights in Africa

The rights of LGBTQ+ people are limited by draconian laws across much of the African continent, with homosexuality outlawed in dozens of countries.

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All Content on this topic

People hold banners in support of LGBTQ rights in Windhoek, Namibia,

Namibia strikes down laws criminalizing gay sex

A high court said banning the so-called sodomy and unnatural sexual acts was unconstitutional.
Human RightsJune 27, 202401:41 min
An African woman carries the flag with the rainbow colors with the slogan: Support Namibian LGBTQ Rights.

Namibia: Major win for LGTBQ+ community

A Namibian court has overturned an anti-gay law. But members of the LGTBQ+ community still live in danger.
Human RightsJune 21, 2024
Dozens of people cheer and dance as they take part in the Namibian Lesbians, Gay, Bisexual and Transexual (LGBT) community pride in Windhoek on July 29, 2017.

Namibia court says laws banning gay sex unconstitutional

A high court in Namibia declares two colonial-era laws that criminalized same-sex acts between men as unconstitutional.
PoliticsJune 21, 2024
Two young people eat in a community house for displaced LGBTQ+ persons in Kenya.

LGBTQ+ Ugandans flee homeland over harsh anti-gay law

After Uganda enacted one of the world's harshest anti-LGBTQ+ laws, some queer Ugandans fled to find safety in Kenya.
EqualityMay 20, 202403:33 min
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Ndumie's vision for South Africa: To love and to let love

Ndumie Funda fought apartheid in her youth. Today, she continues to confront hatred in South Africa — against lesbians.
Human RightsApril 26, 202403:57 min
Trans-woman from Uganda who fled anti-LGBTQ+ violence

Uganda stands by extreme anti-LGBTQ+ law

Uganda's constitutional court has upheld a new law stripping LGBTQ+ people of their rights.
Human RightsApril 24, 202402:25 min
DW News Africa Moderator Eddy Micah (Artikelbild)

DW News Africa with Eddy Micah Jr., April 18, 2024

Botswana wants to send 20,000 elephants to Germany. President Masisi tells DW News Africa what's behind the offer. Plus: members of Uganda's LGBTQ community find refuge in Kenya, after their country's Constitutional Court upholds its anti-homosexuality bill. And: discover the unsung heroes of healthcare. We meet a taxi driver, making a big difference with small acts of kindness.
SocietyApril 22, 202426:24 min
Uganda | Demo für LGBTQ-Rechte

AfricaLink on Air — 03 April 2024

Senegal's President Faye and ally Sonko set to share top roles+++Uganda court throws out challenge to harsh anti-gay law
SocietyApril 3, 202430:00 min
Human rights activists stand outside the Ugandan Constitutional Court

Top Ugandan court upholds anti-gay law

Uganda's Constitutional Court has rejected a bid to overturn its 2023 Anti-Homosexuality Act.
Law and JusticeApril 3, 2024
A demonstrator from the Coalition of Botswana Christian Churches holds a banner reading 'We say no to homosexuality'

Homophobia in Africa: The American far-right's footprint

Tough laws targeting homosexuality or abortion in African nations are often preceded by lobbying from US hard-liners.
PoliticsMarch 15, 2024
Sedinam Tibu, a young woman supporting Ghana's anti-LGBTQ law, speaking to DW

Enactment of Ghana anti-LGBTQ law looms

The bill passed parliament unanimously but has been widely condemned internationally.
Human RightsMarch 7, 202403:38 min
Two hands entwined

Ghana's anti-LGBTQ+ bill sparks fear

Human rights groups and the LGBTQ+ community are urging Ghana's president not to sign the bill into law.
Human RightsMarch 2, 202401:41 min
Two hands entwined

Ghana: LGBTQ+ people in fear after passage of new law

Ghana's president has yet to sign bill into law — but many LGBTQ+ people already feel threatened.
Human RightsFebruary 29, 2024
Two Ghanaian women hold Ghanaian flags

Ghana's parliament passes anti-LGBTQ law

Under the new law, the promotion of LGBTQ+ rights is punishable by up to five years in prison.
Human RightsFebruary 28, 2024
DW Euromaxx (Sendungslogo Composite)

Euromaxx - Lifestyle Europe

A historic train trip on the Spanish island of Mallorca. What is Khachapuri? And, how honest are the Germans?
CultureFebruary 20, 202426:06 min
DW Sendung Made in Germany

Ethics and the Economy

The role of ethical values in economics, from questions of inclusivity to startups that save lives
BusinessJanuary 9, 202426:06 min
DW Sendung Made in Germany

Ethics and the Economy

The role of ethical values in economics, from questions of inclusivity to startups that save lives.
BusinessJanuary 5, 202426:06 min
Pope Francis leads the Angelus prayer from his window, at The Vatican

Africans differ over clerical blessings for same-sex couples

The pope's approval for same-sex couple blessings has sparked confusion — and left the LGBTQ+ community wanting more.
ReligionDecember 21, 2023
Delovie Kwagala, wearing a green vest, black T-shirt and green glasses, with green hair

Art in exile: Queer, vocal and Ugandan

Documenting Africa's LGBTQ+ communities has been the life's work of Ugandan nonbinary artist DeLovie Kwagala.
Human RightsDecember 17, 202304:34 min
Sendung | The 77 Percent | Edith Kimani

The 77 Percent - The Magazine for Africa's Youth

We visit one of Kenya's largest refugee camps, meet the Kakuma Sound band and exiled Ugandan queer artist Papa De.
MigrationDecember 7, 202326:05 min
Südafrika | Proteste gegen das ugandische Anti-Homosexualitätsgesetz

Africalink on Air — 13 November 2023

Uganda's anti-LGBT law petitions +++ Kenya raises national documents charges +++ German investment in Zambia
PoliticsNovember 13, 202329:59 min
Anti-LGBTQ protesters and religious activists march against LGBT rights after the Supreme Court upheld the rights of the National Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission (NGLHRC) to register.

LGBTQ+ community in Kenya defies anti-gay protests

Anti-gay protests have taken place in Kenya following a decision by the courts to affirm the rights of LGBTQ+ persons.
Human RightsOctober 17, 2023
DW I The 77 Percent show

The 77 Percent - The Magazine for Africa's Youth

From falling in love to navigating atypical relationships: This week's edition is all about matters of the heart.
SocietyOctober 11, 202326:05 min
Anti-LGBTQ protesters hold up placards denouncing gay and trans rights

Kenya: Hundreds of Muslims march against LGBTQ rights

The demonstrators are seeking further criminalization of same-sex relations in the African country.
Rule of LawOctober 7, 2023
Pro-choice protesters in Zagreb, Croatia hold up a pink sign

Why Croatia’s abortion debate is heating up

Abortion is legal in Croatia. So why are women having to travel to Slovenia to get one?
Human RightsSeptember 27, 202329:59 min
A Rwandan model holds a rainbow flag

Rwanda: Activists want trans and intersex legal rights

Despite a progressive attitude toward LGBTQ+ issues, human rights NGOs want more legal recognition and protection.
Human RightsSeptember 15, 2023
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World Bank freezes Uganda funding over anti-LGBTQ+ laws

At the beginning of August, the World Bank announced it would freeze new loans towards Uganda in light of its new anti-LGBTQ laws. Many initially viewed the move as a sign that the bank was taking a more progressive approach towards human rights issues. But is it a misguided approach?
EqualitySeptember 5, 202303:06 min
A gay Ugandan man covers himself with a pride flag as he poses for a photograph in Uganda

Ugandan could face death penalty under anti-gay law

Ugandan authorities have charged a 20-year-old man with "aggravated homosexuality" under the country's new anti-gay law.
Human RightsAugust 29, 202301:40 min
Ugandan LGBT refugees pose with a rainbow flag in a protected section of Kakuma refugee camp in northwest Kenya

LGBTQ+ Ethiopians flee in the face of sudden crackdown

Rights activists have branded it a diversionary tactic in the wake of renewed violence across the country.
DiversityAugust 18, 2023
Yoweri Musevini to sign anti-LGBT law

Uganda: New anti-homosexuality law could spark migration

Uganda's new law against homosexuality could lead to a migration wave.
EqualityAugust 14, 2023
Niger, Niamey | General Abdourahmane Tchiani bei einer Kundgebung von Anhängern der Putschisten

AfricaLink on Air - 09 August 2023

Niger junta accuses France of destabilising the country +++ Opposition groups in CAR reject referendum results
PoliticsAugust 9, 202329:58 min
A refugee child looks into the distance in a camp in Lebanon

Safe space

On this week's show, people looking for a safe place to live. Plus, how to cure refugee children's nightmares.
Human RightsJune 28, 202329:59 min
Screenshot DW-Sendung #168 (LGBTQ+) The 77 Percent

The 77 Percent - The Magazine for Africa's Youth

DW's Edith Kimani hosts a debate on LGBTQ+ rights, perspectives, beliefs and legal challenges with young Nairobians.
SocietyJune 21, 202326:05 min
DW Sendung 77 Percent Show #168

LGBTQ rights in Africa

We focus on the state of LGBTQ+ rights in Africa and how young people are fighting societal, and populist pressure.
EqualityJune 3, 202326:05 min
A woman stands, speaking to the camera. Behindher, a file photo of a people celebrating holding up the rainbow flag

Are African LGBTQ+ rights improving?

Although there has been some progress on the protection of LGBTQ+ rights in Africa, many people are still at risk.
EqualityJune 3, 202301:16 min
A gay Ugandan man holds a pride flag

Uproar after Uganda enacts anti-gay law

The law, one of the harshest in the world, has already sent members of the LGBTQ community into hiding.
Human RightsMay 30, 2023
Uganda l LGBTQ

AfricaLink on Air — 30 May 2023

LGBTQ+ community in Uganda living in fear+++U.N. warns more than one million people may flee Sudan bloodshed
PoliticsMay 30, 202329:59 min
Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni

Uganda signs anti-LGBTQ bill into law

The new law contains a provision that would punish "aggravated homosexuality" with the death penalty.
PoliticsMay 30, 2023
Uganda Entebbe | LGBT Pride Feierlichkeiten

AfricaLink on Air - 17 May 2023

Debate over same-sex marriage rages in Malawi+++ LGBTQ people navigate identity amid crackdowns in Zambia
PoliticsMay 17, 202329:58 min
Activist speaks during a picket against Uganda's anti-homosexuality bill

Are African LGBTQ rights improving?

Although there has been some progress on the protection of LGBTQ rights in Africa, many people are still at risk.
Human RightsMay 17, 202301:22 min
A group of LGBTQ people with rights activist Joan Amek

LGBTQ Zambians face up to hate and bigotry

DW talks with queer Zambians and activists about how they navigate identity in a country that denies them human rights.
SocietyMay 17, 2023
Ruanda Regen Überschwemmung Katastrophe

AfricaLink on Air — 04 May 2023

Deadly floods in Rwanda and Uganda +++ Germany's chancellor Scholz in East Africa +++ Uganda's anti-LGBTQ legislation
PoliticsMay 4, 202329:59 min
Jewelry made at a shelter for lesbian, bisexual and queer women in Kampala, Uganda

Why do LGBTQ rights face so much opposition in Africa?

Same-sex relationships are legal in only 22 out of 54 African countries.
Human RightsApril 28, 2023
Man with a red sticker on his cheek that reads, "Some Ugandans are gay. Get over it".

Why is homophobia so strong in Uganda?

On May 17, the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, Interphobia and Transphobia, we take a re-look at Uganda.
CultureApril 21, 2023
A transgender Ugandan poses in front of a rainbow flag during the 3rd Annual Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) Pride celebrations in Entebbe, Uganda

Uganda president won't sign anti-LGBT right bill — for now

President Museveni has called for changes to proposed controversial legislation against homosexuality.
SocietyApril 20, 2023
Ghana Präsident Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo

AfricaLink on Air - 29 March 2023

Zambia and Ghana are caught between IMF and China in debt restructuring +++ DRC: Cholera outbreak in refugee camp
PoliticsMarch 29, 202329:58 min
A person watching a TV screen

Uganda's anti-LGBTQ law restricts media and activists, too

Some journalists in Uganda say new anti-LGBTQ legislation would infringe on their rights to report.
Human RightsMarch 23, 2023
Uganda führt drakonisches Anti-Schwulengesetz ein

Uganda passes anti-homosexuality bill

The legislation gives authorities broad powers to target gay Ugandans.
Law and JusticeMarch 22, 202303:12 min
Uganda Gay Pride

Uganda's parliament passes tough new anti-LGBTQ bill

The East African country already has some of the most draconian anti-LGBTQ legislation in the world.
PoliticsMarch 21, 2023
A person holding a sign that readsy "Proud to be gay, Ugandan and religious"

East Africa's LGBTQ community under siege

In Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania, leading politicians and the public are expressing anti-LGBTQ views.
Human RightsMarch 21, 2023